Malawi has reached a key milestone in the development of its next National State of the Environment and Outlook Report (NSEOR) - a critical tool for guiding evidence-based decision-making on environment management and natural resources utilisation. After a week-long technical meeting in Lilongwe, a pool of environmental scientists and development experts successfully compiled a first draft of the report. GRID-Arendal, together with UNEP and the Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), are coordinating the development of this report that will inform the country’s policies that will shape Malawi’s environmental future.

Finalising its first draft puts Malawi on track, in its nearly 18-month development process of the Report. Preparation of the NSEOR started in March last year and is scheduled for launch in December 2025.

Vital tool for policymakers

“This is a vital tool for policymakers, researchers, and the general public on environment protection and natural resources management. It provides a snapshot of the health of the environment, highlights areas of concern, and identifies opportunities for improvement,” said Director General for the Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), Dr. Wilfred Kadewa during the meeting.

“We are proud to support Malawi in this crucial step towards environmental sustainability. Finalising the report’s first draft is not just a technical milestone, it is a testament to Malawi’s commitment to grounding its development in sound environmental data and inclusive collaboration. This report will be a cornerstone for policies that safeguard the country’s natural heritage,” said Clever Mafuta, Pollution Impact Lead at GRID-Arendal, who attended the meeting.

Informing Malawi’s environmental future

The urgency for developing the NSEOR in Malawi stems from a combination of environmental degradation, socio-economic pressures, climate change-induced disasters, and the need for informed policymaking, and development planning. Environmental sustainability is identified as one of the key enablers for the Malawi 2063 Agenda.

The last NSEOR was launched in 2010. The Environment Management Act of 2017 recommends that such Reports be updated every five years or earlier as may be considered necessary.

The Government of Malawi, through MEPA, is leading the development of the NSEOR with financing from the Norwegian Government, and technical assistance from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and GRID-Arendal.